Our busy season has came to an end here on Anna Maria Island. That being said the fishing is absolutely amazing right now. If you are the type to enjoy our precious island during the slower months but still want to enjoy some of the best fishing in the world now is the time. Locals, this is also the time for you to enjoy Tampa and Sarasota bay. The boat traffic is way down and the bays are full of fish to catch.
We had a small cool front come through last week and with all the rain our water temps have went down quit a bit, hovering around the low 80s. This has brought large schools of Redfish in to both Sarasota and Tampa bay. These fish are large, most of them over slot, 30 plus inches on the majority that come to the boat. It is alot of running and gunning to catch them as they are always on the move. Getting ahead of the school is key to do well catching these fish, setting up in front of them and getting your baits and chum out to slow them down. Catch a few, pick up and do it again, its alot of fun and they are a great fight, not to mention they will be most peoples personal best Redfish that they have ever caught.
Along with the Redfish there are plenty of other species being caught on our fishing charters around Anna Maria Island. The mangrove snapper bite is still staying strong as we head into fall, we are producing limits daily on our charters. We are finding the snapper on every rock and artificial reef inside Tampa bay. Heavy chumming with Pilchards or Sardines is a good way to get these fish to fire up. Light leader (20lbs or less) and a small circle hook or jig head seems to be working for us very well.
Alot of other fish being caught on our guided fishing tours of Anna Maria Island. Plenty of Snook on the shallow flats with a few slot size fish in the mix. We are also seeing the nice Sea Trout starting showing back up as the water temperatures cool down. Also some nice schools of Jack Crevelle around which are an absolute blast to catch! They fight really hard and rarely give up until you get them in the boat. These fish can range anywhere from 3 to 20 lbs, and the 20 lbers will give you a run for your money. It’s also a sight to see when you find a school of these fish, they will usually be around a school of bait and will have the water froth up as they are eating everything in sight.
If you are wanting to experience a fishing charter of a life time around the Anna Maria, Holmes Beach, Longboat Key and Bradenton area now is the time! Captain Wes Wildman would love to show you what our beautiful bays have to offer. Give us a call and book your guided fishing tour today!
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